How to Build Garage Doors

A house's garage doors are not only important functional features, but also add aesthetic value to the property. Garage doors can be an expensive investment, but with the right tools, some time and know-how, you can build your own garage doors--a single door for a single car garage, one large door for a two car garage or two separate stable style doors for a two car, two-door garage.

Things You'll Need

• Saw
• Lumber
• Overhead garage door hangers
• Bolts
• Washers
• Wood glue
• Plywood

Instructions

1. Take measurements for the new garage doors based on the size of the existing garage doors you are replacing. If you are not replacing old ones, you need to measure even more carefully. You will need a couple inches of clearance on each side and an inch on the bottom. Measure the old garage doors, tallying up the materials you will need with a little extra, just in case. If you have trouble with the measuring part of this project, the Home Depot website has a PDF you can read or print on how to measure for your garage door.

2. Decide on the design you want to use for your garage doors. Many garage door manufacturer's now offer customer-designed doors by allowing you to pick the panels you would like. One such company, United Door, offers such services. After deciding the size, color, texture, material and windows, you can get a quote.

3. Skip the quote and build it yourself. You need to decide how the panels will be broken up. Build the framing to the size you need it. This can be done with any kind of treated, protected wood in any size. Simple 2x4's are fine. Cut the inserts that will make up the panels.

4. Create a groove for the panels to slip into and use wood glue on the edges before sliding them into the grooves. If you need additional or replacement hardware, make a list of what you need and check out Overhead Doorparts to order them.

5. Install the motorized garage door mechanisms. These can be purchased at a home improvement store or at the online company listed above. Use the instructions that come with the set up. Then install the garage doors to the motorized tracks and program the garage door opener and computer according to the manual. You really need to follow the manufacturer's directions for this step, since the process may be different for each style of system.

Resources

• Overhead Doorparts
• Home Depot